Cash-strapped buyers in Cardiff are choosing to not do their shopping this Black Friday, waiting for better offers instead.
Shopkeepers have seen a fall in their footfall this Black Friday while shoppers are hesitant to do their shopping due to the rising cost of living.
The Guardian reported that retailers across the United Kingdom recorded lower footfall than pre-pandemic levels this year even though the sales this Friday morning were higher than last week.
Atnas, 25 who is a Sales Assistant at e-Vapo said, “This is my first Black Friday in, retail but I’m surprised that, it’s not as busy as I thought.”
Shoppers in Cardiff too, are being conservative in their buying this Black Friday.
Lisa Curry 42, who works for a retail chain said, “I used to buy during Black Friday, but this year, no because we can’t afford it. Because of the cost of living prices. I think they just push it, they push Black Friday telling everybody, that it’s cheaper when it’s not.”
Lisa said she looked forward to buying during the New Year’s discounts and offers, but she’s not this year because she has less to spend.
Eighteen-year-old LJ said, “I bought about 20 quids worth of stuff and I really don’t want to spend anything else. Yeah. Everything going up. People want to spend as much money as they can, but no one could afford to do it.”
Lisa said she looked forward to buying during the New Year’s discounts and offers, but she’s not this year because she has less to spend.
Susan Jones, 72 who is retired and did not cut down on her spending this Black Friday said. “I’ve been shopping there, I’ve been into Matalam, and I’ve been to a few of the other shops. A bit of it was Christmas shopping, but mostly it’s something I bought for myself. Whatever I give to my family, I’ve kept it the same cause I save all year round.”
Louise Hunt, 40, who works at a Beauty Saloon said, “I think everyone’s definitely looking forward to Black Friday this time of year because we’re all looking to buy Christmas presents and we need them cheaper than normal. I think it’s going to be less than previous years, I’m not going to lie but it’s not like it’s not going to be utilised.”
I work here in the Beauty lounge doing, I do braids, and extensions. Women are gonna rub their hair in. Whatever it costs. I think they’ll just find it, I have noticed that they started using a slightly cheaper range of hair, but still not the cheapest.”